As summer dawns and the school year comes to a close, you might be looking for ways to keep your children engaged, curious, and learning. One of the most effective and fun options is to enroll in a summer reading challenge. These programs, offered by all the public libraries in Hendricks County, offer multiple benefits that go far beyond just keeping children occupied.
Perhaps the most enticing advantage of summer reading programs is their ability to combat the "summer slide" - the learning loss that can occur when students are out of school for extended periods. Research shows that children who do not engage in learning activities during the summer can lose up to two months of reading achievement. Summer reading programs help maintain and improve reading skills by encouraging consistent reading habits. They’re also designed to make reading enjoyable and stress-free. Without the pressure of grades or standardized tests, kids are free to choose books that match their interests and reading levels. Reading is always more fun when it isn’t assigned!
Better grades is a good enough reason for Mom and Dad, but what will make your kids excited to join a reading challenge? One word: prizes! Prizes vary by library, but kids can earn everything from candy and toys to stuffed animals and free books! Best of all, some libraries have adult reading clubs, too - keep the motivation up all summer long to finish those beach reads, or count the hours you spend reading to your little ones; let no prize go unclaimed!
Where can you sign up to start logging reading and earning rewards? Check out the links below! Sign up for multiple reading programs and maximize your prizes this summer!
- Avon-Washington Township Public Library
- Brownsburg Public Library
- Clayton-Liberty Township Public Library
- Coatesville-Clay Township Public Library
- Danville-Center Township Public Library
- Plainfield-Guilford Township Public Library
Don’t be fooled, however; there’s a lot more going on at libraries this summer besides silent reading time. Stop by one (or all!) to see programs for all ages, at all times of day. See some of them here on our events calendar!
